Broadcasting Colleges and Courses
A career in broadcasting can include working in television, radio, cable or even online media, on-air or behind the scenes. Read on to learn more about this diverse field and what kind of degree programs are available. See what courses you'll take and how to choose a school.
What You Need to Know
Broadcasting programs are available at almost every degree level. Broadcast students often work as producers, reporters or journalists. Coursework includes classes in communication, broadcast technologies, and production. It's important to choose a school that offers up-to-date broadcast facilities.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Certificates, diplomas, associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td> Production, media law and ethics, research, reporting, performance</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Schools</b></td><td> Broadcast programs are found at almost all mainstream colleges and universities</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatBroadcastingProgramsAreAvailable">What Broadcasting Programs Are Available?</h3><p>Broadcasting programs are available at many levels. Certificate programs commonly offer a shorter, more concentrated curriculum that might be appropriate if you're interested in entry-level technical positions. You may also find certificate programs in specific areas of broadcasting, like radio or cinema, which could be useful if you have more specific professional goals.
</p><p>Diploma and associate degree programs may be useful if you're pursuing a career as a production assistant, audio technician or camera operator. These programs may also offer broader coursework opportunities that could help prepare you for employment in production, programming or performance.
</p><p>Bachelor's degree programs in broadcasting commonly incorporate journalistic studies and may be beneficial to you as an aspiring reporter or news writer, either on-air or behind the scenes. You may also prepare for positions of management by obtaining a bachelor's degree.
</p><p>Master's degree programs can prepare you for positions of advanced responsibility, like directing or consultation. You might choose a graduate program in Broadcast and Digital Journalism or a Master's in Broadcast Journalism and Media Production. A Master's in Broadcast News may be another option. In these programs, students may be required to create their own portfolios; internship opportunities might be available as well.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillITake">What Courses Will I Take?</h3><p>Entry-level certificate, diploma and associate degree programs may offer courses like production techniques, announcing, writing, programming or electronics. Coursework may vary from school to school based on the focus of the individual program.
</p><p>Bachelor's degree programs also commonly offer courses in technical aspects of broadcasting such as production and editing. Through a bachelor's degree program you will have the opportunity to expand into elements of journalism, such as news writing, reporting, research, performance, media law and ethics.
</p><p>Master's degree programs may include courses in communication theory, research techniques, management, editing and equipment operation. Through a master's degree program, you may further specialize in your chosen interest within broadcasting, including writing, producing or editing. Additional course topics may include TV news magazine studies, news reporting and producing, multimedia production and media ethics.
</p><h3 id="section---HowCanIChooseACollege">How Can I Choose a College?</h3><p>As a broadcast student, you may consider enrolling in a college that offers up-to-date facilities with both the hardware and software needed to create, record, edit and produce a broadcast program. Operating television or radio studios on campus could be useful for hands-on training experiences.
</p><p>Additional real-world experience could be obtained through programs that allow internship opportunities for academic credit. Internships may allow you to network with local broadcast studios as well as gain experience in researching, editing or producing. These colleges offer courses in broadcasting:
</p><ul><li>Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT)
</li><li>University of Maryland (College Park)
</li><li>Cleveland Institute of Electronics (OH)
</li><li>Ohlone College (Fremont/Newark, CA)
</li><li>Isothermal Community College (Various locations in North Carolina)</li></ul>